Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, Will you stealThe Hebrew word for "steal" is "גָּנַב" (ganab), which implies taking something secretly or by stealth. In the context of ancient Israel, stealing was not only a violation of the Eighth Commandment but also a breach of trust within the community. The act of stealing reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's righteousness and justice. It signifies a deeper spiritual malaise where material possessions are valued over divine commandments. This rhetorical question from God through Jeremiah challenges the Israelites to reflect on their moral and spiritual state, urging them to return to a life of integrity and obedience. murder
The term "murder" in Hebrew is "רָצַח" (ratsach), which refers to the unlawful taking of a life. This is a direct violation of the Sixth Commandment. In the historical context of Jeremiah's time, the society was plagued with violence and disregard for human life, reflecting a departure from God's law. Murder, in this sense, is not just a physical act but a manifestation of hatred and a heart far from God. The prophet's message is a call to repentance, emphasizing the sanctity of life as ordained by the Creator. commit adultery
"Adultery" is translated from the Hebrew "נָאַף" (na'aph), indicating unfaithfulness in marriage. This act was not only a personal sin but also a societal one, undermining the family unit, which is foundational to God's covenant community. In Jeremiah's time, adultery was rampant, symbolizing Israel's spiritual adultery against God by pursuing other deities. The prophet uses this term to highlight the breach of covenantal faithfulness, urging a return to purity and devotion both in personal relationships and in the relationship with God. swear falsely
The phrase "swear falsely" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁבַע" (shava) combined with "שֶׁקֶר" (sheqer), meaning to take an oath deceitfully. This act violates the Ninth Commandment and reflects a society where truth is compromised. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oaths were sacred, and swearing falsely was an affront to God's character, who is Truth. Jeremiah's indictment of false swearing is a call to restore honesty and integrity, aligning one's words with God's truth. burn incense to Baal
"Baal" was a Canaanite deity, and burning incense to Baal signifies idolatry, a direct violation of the First Commandment. The Hebrew word for "burn incense" is "קָטַר" (qatar), which was an act of worship. In Jeremiah's time, the Israelites had adopted pagan practices, forsaking their covenant with Yahweh. This phrase underscores the spiritual adultery of Israel, as they turned to false gods for provision and protection. The prophet's message is a call to exclusive worship of the one true God, rejecting all forms of idolatry. follow other gods
The phrase "follow other gods" is derived from the Hebrew "הָלַךְ" (halak), meaning to walk or follow, and "אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" (elohim acherim), meaning other gods. This indicates a deliberate choice to pursue deities other than Yahweh. Historically, this was a common temptation for Israel, influenced by surrounding nations. Following other gods represents a heart turned away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Jeremiah's message is a plea for Israel to return to their first love, walking in the ways of the Lord. that you have not known
The phrase "that you have not known" highlights the foreignness and unfamiliarity of these gods to Israel. The Hebrew "יָדַע" (yada) means to know intimately or experientially. God had revealed Himself to Israel through mighty acts and His law, yet they pursued gods they had no covenantal relationship with. This phrase underscores the folly and danger of forsaking the known God for the unknown, urging a return to the God who had proven Himself faithful and true. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by his deep emotional connection to the messages he delivered and the people he served. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. BaalA Canaanite deity often associated with fertility and weather, whose worship was a significant source of idolatry among the Israelites. 4. The Temple SermonThis passage is part of Jeremiah's Temple Sermon, where he rebukes the people of Judah for their false sense of security in the temple and their hypocritical worship. 5. Idolatry and InjusticeThe events described in this verse highlight the moral and spiritual decay of Judah, as they engaged in idolatry and social injustices, violating the covenant with God. Teaching Points The Danger of HypocrisyThe people of Judah were engaging in religious rituals while living in blatant disobedience. True worship requires a heart aligned with God's commands, not just external observance. The Consequences of IdolatryIdolatry leads to moral decay and societal injustice. When we place anything above God, it distorts our values and actions. The Call to RepentanceGod, through Jeremiah, calls His people to repentance. This is a reminder that God desires a relationship with us that is based on faithfulness and obedience. The Importance of Covenant FaithfulnessThe sins listed are violations of the covenant God made with Israel. As believers, we are called to live in faithfulness to the new covenant through Christ. The Role of the Heart in ObedienceTrue obedience comes from a transformed heart. We must examine our hearts and ensure they are aligned with God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the list of sins in Jeremiah 7:9 reflect the breaking of the Ten Commandments, and what does this teach us about the nature of sin? 2. In what ways can modern believers fall into the trap of hypocrisy in their worship and daily lives? 3. How does idolatry manifest in today's world, and what steps can we take to guard against it? 4. What does true repentance look like, and how can we cultivate a lifestyle of repentance in our walk with God? 5. How can we ensure that our hearts are aligned with God's will, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:1-17The Ten Commandments, which outline the moral and spiritual laws that the people of Israel were breaking, as mentioned in Jeremiah 7:9. Hosea 4:1-2This passage echoes the themes of unfaithfulness and societal corruption, similar to the sins listed in Jeremiah 7:9. Matthew 15:19Jesus speaks about the evil that comes from the heart, which includes many of the sins listed in Jeremiah 7:9, showing the continuity of God's moral standards. People Ben, JeremiahPlaces Egypt, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Topheth, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Slaughter, ZionTopics Adultery, Baal, Ba'al, Burn, Burned, Commit, Committing, Death, Falsehood, Falsely, Follow, Giving, Gods, Goods, Incense, Murder, Murdering, Oaths, Offer, Perfume, Perfumes, Perjury, Sacrifices, Steal, Stealing, Strange, Swear, Swearing, Untrue, Walk, WivesDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 7:9 7312 Baal Jeremiah 7:1-11 7756 preaching, content Jeremiah 7:2-11 5943 self-deception Jeremiah 7:8-10 8715 dishonesty, and God Jeremiah 7:9-10 5440 perjury
5511 safety
5914 optimism
6242 adultery
7386 incense Jeremiah 7:9-15 5978 warning
8705 apostasy, in OT Library An Earnest Warning About Lukewarmness
I should judge that the church at Laodicea was once in a very fervent and healthy condition. Paul wrote a letter to it which did not claim inspiration, and therefore its loss does not render the Scriptures incomplete, for Paul may have written scores of other letters besides. Paul also mentions the church at Laodicea in his letter to the church at Colosse; he was, therefore, well acquainted with it, and as he does not utter a word of censure with regard to it, we may infer that the church was at …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning.
There being a great demand for the several books that are printed under Mr. Binning's name, it was judged proper to undertake a new and correct impression of them in one volume. This being done, the publishers were much concerned to have the life of such an useful and eminent minister of Christ written, in justice to his memory, and his great services in the work of the gospel, that it might go along with this impression. We living now at so great distance from the time wherein he made a figure in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Valley of Hinnom.
A great part of the valley of Kedron was called also the 'Valley of Hinnom.' Jeremiah, going forth into the valley of Hinnom, went out by the gate "Hacharsith, the Sun-gate," Jeremiah 19:2; that is, the Rabbins and others being interpreters, 'by the East-gate.' For thence was the beginning of the valley of Hinnom, which, after some space, bending itself westward, ran out along the south side of the city. There is no need to repeat those very many things, which are related of this place in the Old …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is to be Worshipped.
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." There are two common notions engraven on the hearts of all men by nature,--that God is, and that he must be worshipped, and these two live and die together, they are clear, or blotted together. According as the apprehension of God is clear, and distinct, and more deeply engraven on the soul, so is this notion of man's duty of worshipping God clear and imprinted on the soul, and whenever the actions …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Whether a Vow Should Always be About a Better Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow need not be always about a better good. A greater good is one that pertains to supererogation. But vows are not only about matters of supererogation, but also about matters of salvation: thus in Baptism men vow to renounce the devil and his pomps, and to keep the faith, as a gloss observes on Ps. 75:12, "Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God"; and Jacob vowed (Gn. 28:21) that the Lord should be his God. Now this above all is necessary for salvation. Therefore …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Christian Worship,
PART I In the early days of the Gospel, while the Christians were generally poor, and when they were obliged to meet in fear of the heathen, their worship was held in private houses and sometimes in burial-places under-ground. But after a time buildings were expressly set apart for worship. It has been mentioned that in the years of quiet, between the death of Valerian and the last persecution (A D. 261-303) these churches were built much more handsomely than before, and were furnished with gold …
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life First Ministry in Judæa --John's Second Testimony.
(Judæa and Ænon.) ^D John III. 22-36. ^d 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa [That is, he left Jerusalem, the capital of Judæa, and went into the rural districts thereof. We find him there again in John xi. and Luke xiii.-xviii. He gained disciples there, but of them we know but few, such as Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simeon, and Judas Iscariot]; and there he tarried with them [It is not stated how long he tarried, but it may have been from …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Concerning the Ministry.
Concerning the Ministry. As by the light or gift of God all true knowledge in things spiritual is received and revealed, so by the same, as it is manifested and received in the heart, by the strength and power thereof, every true minister of the gospel is ordained, prepared, and supplied in the work of the ministry; and by the leading, moving, and drawing hereof ought every evangelist and Christian pastor to be led and ordered in his labour and work of the gospel, both as to the place where, as to …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii. 20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in the dangerous …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 7:9 NIVJeremiah 7:9 NLTJeremiah 7:9 ESVJeremiah 7:9 NASBJeremiah 7:9 KJV
Jeremiah 7:9 Commentaries
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